Patents Issued in January 17, 2017
  • Patent number: 9545909
    Abstract: A spark control module, for an engine speed and an engine load: for a first predetermined period, supplies spark to each cylinder of the engine at a predetermined spark timing set for the engine speed and the engine load. For a second period following the first predetermined period, the spark control module: provides spark to a first one of the cylinders at a first spark timing that is retarded relative to the predetermined spark timing; and supplies spark to all of the other cylinders of the engine at the predetermined spark timing. The storage module selectively stores in memory: a first torque output of the engine measured during the first predetermined period; and a second torque output of the engine measured during the second period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Karl T. Kiebel, Stefan E. Lindner, Jeffrey M. Kaiser
  • Patent number: 9545910
    Abstract: An ECU selects a power supply mode which controls a power supply to an inverter apparatus, in a case where a fuel cell vehicle is instructed to start-up by an ignition switch and it is detected that a power supply inlet and a power supply connector are fitted together based on voltage of CONNECT signal, and selects a driving mode which controls the driving of the fuel cell vehicle, in a case where the fuel cell vehicle is instructed to start-up by the ignition switch and it is detected that the power supply inlet and the power supply connector are not fitted together based on voltage of CONNECT signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Morio Kayano, Daishi Igarashi, Suguru Kato
  • Patent number: 9545911
    Abstract: Provided are collision avoidance apparatus and method for a vehicle, which are capable of maintaining a braking force and assisting a steering force by providing a braking control signal and a steering control signal to a wheel of a driver's steering intention direction during braking for collision avoidance, thereby achieving lateral avoidance. The collision avoidance apparatus for the vehicle includes: a measurement unit configured to measure a motion of an opposite vehicle; and an electronic control unit configured to determine whether there is a risk of collision with the opposite vehicle, based on a measurement result from the measurement unit, and, when it is determined that there is the risk of collision, provide a braking control signal and a steering control signal to an actuator for controlling a wheel of a driver's steering intention direction and provide a braking release signal for releasing a braking force from a wheel opposite to the driver's steering intention direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Deok-Ju Kim
  • Patent number: 9545912
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle mode-switching control device for a hybrid vehicle controls that an output of an engine and/or motor in response to a mode-switch request. In a case of a difference between an actual transmission gear ratio and a target transmission gear ratio, a deficit with respect to the requested drive power occurs that causes discomfort to the driver. The drive power surplus or deficit caused by the transmission gear ratio deviation can eliminated by correcting of the motor torque and/or the engine torque by a correction amount necessary to eliminate the surplus or deficit of drive power. In this way, the lack of drive power due to the transmission ratio deviation and the driver's sense of discomfort can be eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Takano, Shintaro Oshio, Yoshihisa Kodama, Takuro Hirano
  • Patent number: 9545913
    Abstract: A powertrain system includes an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft that fixedly couples to an input member of a multi-mode transmission including first and second torque machines. The transmission operates in one of a plurality of fixed-gear modes and variable modes through selective activation of first and second clutches. A control method includes, in response to a command to operate the multi-mode transmission in a fixed-gear mode, activating only the first clutch and commanding the engine to an OFF state. The first torque machine is controlled to generate a first torque output responsive to a drag torque that is offset by an engine reactive torque with the engine in the OFF state. The transmission operates in the fixed-gear mode by controlling the second torque machine to generate a second torque output responsive to an operator torque request and the first torque output of the first torque machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Shaun C. Bowman, Poh Fong Chin, Jeremy Wise, Brendan M. Conlon
  • Patent number: 9545914
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a controller for a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) having an engine and an electric machine, the controller being configured upon start-up to control an electric machine to provide torque to drive a vehicle with an engine off if a state of charge (SoC) of an energy storage device is above an EV-start SoC threshold and to start an engine if a SoC of an energy storage device is below the EV-start SoC threshold, wherein the EV-start SoC threshold is determined to be one selected from amongst a value sufficient to allow a vehicle to travel a prescribed distance before a SoC falls below a SoC minimum level at which an engine is started and a value sufficient to allow a vehicle to operate for a prescribed time period before a SoC falls below the SoC minimum level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventor: Philippa Laing
  • Patent number: 9545915
    Abstract: A method includes utilizing navigation data from a navigation system to segment a route to be travelled by a travelling vehicle into segments each having a road grade different than neighboring segments. The method further includes discharging a battery of the vehicle as the vehicle travels along an initial segment of the route according to a state-of-charge (SoC) set-point based on the road grade of the initial segment and a variable representative of the road grades of at least two other segments of the route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Anthony Mark Phillips, Georgia-Evangelia Katsargyri, Ming Lang Kuang, Ilya Vladimir Kolmanovsky, John Ottavio Michelini, Munther Abdullah Dahleh, Michael David Rinehart
  • Patent number: 9545916
    Abstract: When all conditions for increasing a regeneration amount are established, and when a motor temperature Tmg is lower than a predetermined temperature, and a rotation speed Nm1 of a motor MG1 is lower than a predetermined rotation speed, a motor requirement upper limit value VHlimmg is set by imposing a limit for reducing a drive voltage system voltage VH (S130). In so doing, the regeneration amount can be increased by suppressing heat generation by a diode of a lower arm of a step-up converter. When, on the other hand, the motor temperature Tmg equals or exceeds the predetermined temperature or the rotation speed Nm1 of the motor MG1 equals or exceeds the predetermined rotation speed, the motor requirement upper limit value VHlimmg is set by relaxing or canceling the limit for reducing the drive voltage system voltage VH (S130).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Kamatani, Takaya Soma, Takao Itoh, Etsushi Taguchi
  • Patent number: 9545917
    Abstract: A drive control device for a hybrid vehicle is provided with a differential device having four rotary elements. One of the four rotary elements is constituted by rotary components of each of a first and a second differential mechanisms selectively connected to each other through a clutch. One of the rotary components of said first and second differential mechanisms selectively connected through said clutch is selectively fixed to a stationary member through a brake. The drive control device comprises a brake engagement control portion configured to place the brake in an engaged state upon starting an engine, and an electric motor operation control portion configured to operate a first electric motor to raise a speed of a rotary motion of the engine for starting of the engine and to operate a second electric motor to reduce a reaction force during starting of said engine acting on an output rotary member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Maruyama, Tomohito Ono
  • Patent number: 9545918
    Abstract: A control device of a hybrid vehicle causing a first electric motor to apply an engine reduction torque for reducing a rotation speed of an engine at the time of stopping a rotation of the engine, when it is determined that an output torque of a second electric motor is in a predetermined torque range near zero including zero during transition to stopping the rotation of the engine with the engine reduction torque applied by a first electric motor at the time of stopping the rotation of the engine being set to a predetermined engine reduction torque, the engine reduction torque is changed from the predetermined engine reduction torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daiki Sato, Masatoshi Ito
  • Patent number: 9545919
    Abstract: A control device for a hybrid vehicle, which can inhibit damage to an exhaust purification catalyst and also suppress deterioration of drivability, is provided. The control device exercises catalyst protective control, which inhibits operation of an engine and drives a traction motor, if a state where an exhaust air-fuel ratio detected by an exhaust air-fuel ratio detection unit is lean continues for a first predetermined time or longer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroaki Ueno, Toshiyuki Miyata
  • Patent number: 9545920
    Abstract: When a rotational fluctuation ?NEeng of an engine is equal to or larger than a first threshold NEref1, a rotational fluctuation ?NEmg1 of a motor MG1 that is calculated at a timing preceding the rotational fluctuation ?NEeng of the engine by 180 degrees in terms of a rotational angle of a crankshaft is compared with a second threshold NEref2. When the rotational fluctuation ?NEmg1 is equal to or larger than the second threshold NEref2, it is determined that the rotational fluctuation ?NEeng of the engine has reached a value equal to or larger than a threshold NEref due to a disturbance such as running on a bad road or the like, and a misfire counter is maintained. When the rotational fluctuation ?NEmg1 is smaller than the second threshold NEref2, it is determined that a misfire may be occurring in at least one of cylinders of the engine, and the misfire counter is incremented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hitoki Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 9545921
    Abstract: A collision avoidance system for use in a vehicle includes a forward-viewing camera and a rearward-viewing camera. Responsive to image processing of captured image data, the system detects the presence of vehicles present ahead of the equipped vehicle and in the traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in and in an adjacent traffic lane that is adjacent to the traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in. Responsive to image processing of image data captured by the rearward-viewing camera, the system determines imminence of a rear impact with the equipped vehicle by another vehicle and the system controls a steering system to move the equipped vehicle to the adjacent traffic lane provided the portion of that adjacent lane the equipped vehicle is to move to is unoccupied by a vehicle ahead of, adjacent to or behind the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Johannes Wolf
  • Patent number: 9545922
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system that creates a lane model using a lane offset value and a lane heading angle and assists a vehicle in keeping its lane by using the lane model. More specifically, the system may include: a camera that obtains an image of the road; an image analyzing unit that detects lane markings by analyzing the image and calculates and stores the lane offset value from the detected lane markings; a radar that detects the position of the preceding vehicle; a preceding vehicle analyzing unit that calculates a preceding vehicle heading angle between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle; and a controller that, if the lane markings are blocked, applies the preceding vehicle heading angle to the lane heading angle to thereby create the lane model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sang Kyun Sim
  • Patent number: 9545923
    Abstract: An object-detection system for, e.g., a vehicle collision avoidance system, utilizes a metamaterial-based phase shifting element array to generate a scan beam by varying the effective capacitance of each metamaterial structure forming the array in order to control the phases of their radio frequency output signals such that the combined electromagnetic wave generated by the output signals is reinforced in the desired direction and suppressed in undesired directions to produce the scan beam. The metamaterial structures are configured to resonate at the same radio wave frequency as an incident input signal (radiation), whereby each metamaterial structure emits an associated output signal by way of controlled scattering the input signal. A variable capacitance is applied on each metamaterial structure, e.g., using varicaps that are adjusted by way of phase control voltages, to produce the desired output phase patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Bernard D. Casse, Armin R. Volkel, Victor Liu, Alexander S. Tuganov
  • Patent number: 9545924
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for a vehicle cruise control, particularly concerning a school bus, which includes collecting information on the school bus and a road environment positioned around nearby vehicle, monitoring position, velocity and moving direction of the school bus, and state of surrounding road. If the school bus is stopped relatively near the front of the nearby vehicle, the method continues by determining whether or not the vehicle is stopped by comparing the collected school bus information and the road environment information with a predefined cruise regulation based on the school bus, and guiding the driver to stop as well as controlling the vehicle to stop depending on the determination result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Ji Hyun Yoon
  • Patent number: 9545925
    Abstract: A transmission system is disclosed for use with a machine. The transmission system may have a first clutch configured to transfer power in a first direction, a second clutch configured to transfer power in a second direction, a brake, and an interface device configured to generate a first signal indicative of a desire to shift power transfer directions. The transmission system may also have a controller configured to cause disengagement of the first clutch in response to the first signal, to cause the brake to apply a retarding torque to a traction device, and to determine an amount of the retarding torque being applied to the traction device. The controller may also be configured to selectively transfer the retarding torque to the second clutch when a capacity of the second clutch to provide retarding torque is about equal to the amount of the retarding torque being applied by the brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mathew D. Guldan, Matthew Michael Tinker, Chintan Govindbhai Kothari, Bradley John Will, Timothy Alan Lorentz
  • Patent number: 9545926
    Abstract: A system and method for use with a vehicle to provide a vehicle launch assist (VLA) function that reduces wheel slip at lower speeds and to provide a fraction control (TC) function that reduces wheel slip at higher speeds. Each function affects operation of one or more vehicle subsystems that control at least one powertrain parameter. The VLA and TC functions operate in response to a driver accelerator request to generate a drive signal that controls torque delivered to at least one driven vehicle wheel. The VLA function generates the drive signal at a first value that limits the torque to below a requested torque value representing the driver accelerator request. The TC function generates the drive signal at a second value that limits the torque to below the requested torque value. And the control system outputs a powertrain drive signal based on the lesser of first and second values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Paul Darnell, Robert Bird
  • Patent number: 9545927
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a motor vehicle control system for selecting and/or determining a driving surface and for controlling a plurality of vehicle subsystems to operate in a plurality of subsystem control modes in dependence on the selected/determined driving surface, the system being operable in a manual control mode selection condition in which a user is able to select said driving surface and an automatic control mode selection condition in which the system is configured to select said driving surface automatically, wherein the vehicle control system is provided with a memory arranged to memorize a last selected control mode that was selected prior to vehicle de-activation or key-off when operating in the automatic control mode selection condition, and upon the next subsequent vehicle activation or key-on, the system is configured to continue operating in the memorized control mode and to automatically obtain new data in respect of a driving surface over which the vehicle is moving b
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Fairgrieve, Elliot Hemes, Dan Dennehy, James Kelly, Sam Anker
  • Patent number: 9545928
    Abstract: In a vehicle including a plurality of devices (14, 16, 60, and 70 to 74) for operating so as to cause a yaw rate of the vehicle to approach a target yaw rate, a target control amount ??t for the yaw rate for causing a yaw rate ? of the vehicle to approach a target yaw rate ?t is calculated (S20 to S60), for each device, a ratio of a change amount of the yaw rate to an energy loss amount caused by an operation is calculated as an efficiency (S80 to S100), the target control amount is sequentially distributed to the plurality of devices in descending order of the efficiency, to thereby calculate individual target control amounts for the plurality of devices (S110 to S160), and the operations of the respective devices are controlled based on the individual target control amounts (S170).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shinnosuke Shimokawa
  • Patent number: 9545929
    Abstract: A powertrain system including an internal combustion engine rotatably coupled to a variator of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is described. A method for controlling the CVT includes determining a desired variator speed ratio in response to a change in an operator input and executing a step-upshift in the CVT based upon the desired variator speed ratio. The step-upshift includes determining a preferred CVT input deceleration profile based upon the desired variator speed ratio, a present variator speed ratio, and a preferred shift time and synchronizing the preferred CVT input deceleration profile with a command to reduce engine torque. A change rate for the variator speed ratio is based upon the preferred CVT input deceleration profile, and the CVT is controlled in response to the change rate for the variator speed ratio and the desired variator speed ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Zhen J. Zhang, Paul G. Otanez
  • Patent number: 9545930
    Abstract: A system to access one or more user profiles that govern one or more vehicle functions. The system cooperates with a processor and verification module which are adapted to verify, using one or more of biometric information, gesture recognition, facial recognition and device identification information, that a user has authority to access the one or more user profiles, where the one or more profiles are stored in one or more of a vehicle, a cloud and a communications device. An edit module is further provided and adapted to allow the user to make one or more edits to the one or more user profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: AutoConnect Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Christopher P. Ricci
  • Patent number: 9545931
    Abstract: An approach to setting a cruise control speed based on identifying a vehicle operator and analyzing metadata associated with the vehicle operator. The identity of the vehicle operator and any passengers is determined based on identity sensors in the vehicle or by manual identity entry. Metadata, associated with the vehicle operator, is retrieved from the metadata database, located either locally or remotely. The metadata is analyzed based on factors such as the current route and the identity of any passengers. The cruise control speed is set based on the results of the analysis. Any changes to the setting are updated in the metadata database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John F. Canale, Raul A. Pelaez, Mark A. Shatraw, Charles J. Stocker, IV
  • Patent number: 9545932
    Abstract: A new method of manufacturing a railroad car tank head having the steps of providing a circular blank of steel plate material, cold-forming the circular blank to form an intermediate ellipsoidal dish, cold-forming a peripheral flange region of the intermediate ellipsoidal dish to form a flanged ellipsoidal dish, and heat treating the flanged ellipsoidal dish. The heat treatment may be either a thermal stress relieving heat treatment or a normalizing heat treatment. The two cold-forming steps may be carried out at room temperature. The present invention provides a method of making a railroad car tank head that is more efficient than prior methods, avoids the challenges of hot-forming and single-stage cold-forming, is easily adaptable to different tank head diameters using the same forming equipment, and yields a railroad car tank head that meets safety standards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Samuel, Son & Co., Limited
    Inventors: Daniel P. Stancescu, Richard M. Balaz, Emad Fakhry Habib Assaad
  • Patent number: 9545933
    Abstract: An air spring (2) includes: an upper surface plate (21); a lower surface plate (22); an elastic film (23) airtightly coupling a peripheral portion of the upper surface plate (21) and a peripheral portion of the lower surface plate (22) to each other to form an air chamber (24) inside the elastic film (23); an elastic stopper (25) connected to the lower surface plate (22); and at least one of an internal pipe (45) or internal wire (55) extending from an upper surface of the upper surface plate (21) to a side surface of the elastic stopper (25). A part of a pipe and/or wire extending between a carbody (11) and a bogie (1) of a railcar (100) is constituted by the internal pipe (45) and/or internal wire (55) of the air spring (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takehiro Nishimura, Yasufumi Okumura, Kazuhiro Onishi, Chihiro Okayama
  • Patent number: 9545934
    Abstract: A balancing apparatus comprises a rotating shaft (2) arranged on a transition coupler (1), a rotating rod (4) and a top seat (7). The rotating rod (4) comprises an upper and lower end plates (11,12), and a ramp protrusion (13) that is arranged between the upper and lower end plates (12), and is of a sheet protruding structure; when the upper and lower end plates serve as the reference, in the longitudinal direction, the ramp protrusion (13) outward inclines towards the rotating rod, one end of the rotating rod (4) is arranged on the rotating shaft, a pin shaft (5) is arranged at the other end of the rotating rod (4), an eyelet bolt (6) is further arranged on the pin shaft (5), and the rotating rod (4) can rotate around the rotating shaft (2) and hinged to the eyelet bolt (6) through the pin shaft (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: CRRC QINGDAO SIFANG ROLLING STOCK RESEARCH INSTITUTE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hui Liu, Shuhua Duan, Shi Liu
  • Patent number: 9545935
    Abstract: A portable mounting assembly is provided comprising a mounting disc comprising at least one magnetic component for attaching the mounting disc to an axle bearing on a vehicle such as a locomotive, for determining speed; and a stabilizer bar attached at a first end to the mounting disc and at a second end to an outrigger comprising at least one magnetic component for attaching to a stationary component of the vehicle. A method of providing speed control to a portable remote control system for a locomotive is also provided. A method of overriding a speed control mode operated by a portable remote control system for a locomotive is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: ZTR Control Systems
    Inventor: Aldo Liberatore
  • Patent number: 9545936
    Abstract: A cleaning cart is provided that includes a base, a plurality of wheels and a storage region depending from the base, and a bucket restraining device. The base has a first side wall, a second side wall, and a front wall, the base having at least one portion configured to receive a bucket thereon. The bucket restraining device has a lateral restraining wall and a rear restraining wall that cooperate to define a first restraining region and a second restraining region. The first restraining region is defined by the first side wall, the front wall, the lateral restraining wall, and a portion of the rear restraining wall. The second restraining region is defined by the second side wall, the front wall, the lateral restraining wall, and a different portion of rear restraining wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: UNGER MARKETING INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Adams, Raymond E. Clepper, Joseph K. Patterson
  • Patent number: 9545937
    Abstract: A shopping cart includes side walls (81) and a base (8), wherein the cart has an essentially truncated cone shape with a small divergence that allows the stacking thereof, the cart being formed essentially from two parts, a first part including the body of the cart (1) and a second part including the body of the handle (1), wherein the body of the cart includes receiving elements (6) for securing the body to the handle (11) in a permanent and stationary manner and because the body of the handle (11) includes, on the lower end thereof, an arrangement for fixing into the receiving element (6) of the body of the cart (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Industrias Tomas Morcillo, S.L.
    Inventor: Tomás Morcillo Barjola
  • Patent number: 9545938
    Abstract: A stroller with a pivotable front wheel assembly. When folding the stroller, the front wheel assembly may pivot, exposing a flat surface which may be rested on the ground for easier storage of the stroller. A drive rod may drive the front wheel assembly to rotate during folding. A slider may move away from the front wheel assembly during folding, moving a rear tube into place and ultimately causing the drive rod to drive the front wheel assembly to rotate. A lock mechanism may be included to lock the frame into configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: UNITRONTECH ZHUHAI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Xiuping Liu
  • Patent number: 9545939
    Abstract: A collapsible stroller includes a stroller frame moveable between a deployed position and a collapsed position and a latch mechanism. The stroller frame includes a first leg, a second leg and a handle support member. The handle support member is pivotable with respect to the first leg or the second leg. The latch mechanism includes a latch body and a catch. The latch body is positioned internally of the second leg. When the stroller is in the deployed position, the latch body is blocked from view by the second leg when the stroller frame is viewed in a side elevation view. The catch is provided on or connected with the first leg or the handle support member. The latch body cooperates with the catch to selectively connect the latch body with the catch when the stroller is in the collapsed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Helen of Troy Limited
    Inventors: David C. Wight, Thomas C. Hanson
  • Patent number: 9545940
    Abstract: An infant stroller apparatus includes a leg segment and a handle segment, a joint structure including a first and a second coupling hub that are respectively affixed with the leg segment and the handle segment and are pivotally connected with each other, a mount portion connected with the joint structure, a latch assembly having an actuation surface and arranged in the two coupling hubs, and a detachable seat having a connector and a release actuator arranged adjacent to each other. The latch assembly is movable between a first and a second position for respectively locking and unlocking the leg segment and the handle segment. The release actuator can push against the actuation surface for driving an unlocking displacement of the latch assembly when the seat is installed on the mount portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Company Limited
    Inventors: Andrew J. Taylor, Robert E. Haut, Curtis M. Hartenstine, Anthony V. Ruggiero
  • Patent number: 9545941
    Abstract: An infant stroller apparatus includes a stroller frame having a leg frame, a stand platform pivotally connected with the leg frame about a pivot axis, and a spring connected with the leg frame. The stand platform is connected with a caster assembly disposed rearward relative to the pivot axis. The spring is configured to bias the stand platform in a direction for displacing the caster assembly downward. In some embodiment, the infant stroller apparatus can include a brake assembly operable to lift the caster assembly of the stand platform in a braking state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Company Limited
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Pacella, Andrew J. Winterhalter, Nathanael Saint, William B. Bellows, Jerry S. Ingraham
  • Patent number: 9545942
    Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a clip nut for shaft assembly having a tubular shaft is provided. The clip nut includes a first end having a first aperture, a second end having an inwardly extending projection portion with a second aperture extending therethrough, and a connecting portion extending between the first end and the second end. The first and second ends are configured to extend around the tubular shaft such that the projection portion extends into the tubular shaft, and the first and second apertures are configured to receive a fastener to couple the clip nut to the tubular shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Melvin L. Tinnin, Joen C. Bodtker
  • Patent number: 9545943
    Abstract: A steering device includes: a rotary shaft supported by an upper bracket; a plurality of engaged teeth fixed to an upper jacket; a lock member including engaging teeth to mesh with the engaged teeth; and a support shaft supported by a lower jacket at a position farther away from the engaged teeth than the rotary shaft 35. When the rotary shaft is rotated, a first rotary member is rotated in synchronization with the rotary shaft. A second rotary member moves the lock member to a disengaged position in conjunction with rotation of the first rotary member. The lock member is urged toward a meshing position by an urging member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masayoshi Sakuda, Ryota Okano
  • Patent number: 9545944
    Abstract: A controller of a steering apparatus includes a calculating unit that calculates a correction assistance quantity based on a steering angular velocity coefficient and a torque coefficient, a steering angular velocity coefficient setting unit that sets the steering angular velocity coefficient depending on a steering angular velocity and that sets the steering angular velocity coefficient to become larger as a feedback quantity of a negative feedback unit becomes larger, and a torque coefficient setting unit that sets the torque coefficient depending on a steering torque and that sets the torque coefficient to become larger as the feedback quantity of the negative feedback unit becomes larger. The feedback quantity of the torque coefficient setting unit when the steering torque is in a predetermined high-frequency range is larger than the feedback quantity of the steering angular velocity coefficient setting unit when the steering angular velocity is in a predetermined high-frequency range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yukihide Kimura, Takeshi Goto, Yoji Kunihiro
  • Patent number: 9545945
    Abstract: An electric power steering system for a vehicle works to determine an assist command based on steering torque to produce assist torque through an electric motor for assisting in turning a steering wheel of the vehicle, also determines a tracking command for producing automatic steering torque which brings a value of a given physical quantity associated with steering of the vehicle into agreement a target value, and calculates a steering correction command for use in producing a steering correction torque which reduces the steering torque which arises from output of the torque from the electric motor based on a transfer characteristic of transmission of the output of torque from the electric motor as a part of the steering torque. A motor driver works to actuate the electric motor based on sum of the assist command, the tracking command, and the steering correction command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hisaya Akatsuka, Motoaki Kataoka, Toshiki Matsumoto, Hisashi Iida
  • Patent number: 9545946
    Abstract: A steering system is provided to support a straight running of a vehicle. The steering system included an active steering assistance system, a support torque section, and a correction section. The support torque section is configured to calculate a supporting torque based on a steering torque applied to a steering wheel of the vehicle. The correction section is configured to calculate a correcting torque on a basis of a progressively calculated supporting torque. The active steering assistance is configured to be controlled on the basis of a control torque based upon a superimposition of the supporting torque with the correcting torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Thorsten Wilhelm Hestermeyer, Sergio Trimboli, Jens Dornhege
  • Patent number: 9545947
    Abstract: A method for implementing a transition from a functioning steering assistance system to a deactivated steering assistance system when a fault occurs, comprising the following steps: establishing the fault of the steering assistance system; establishing that all high-side power switches are functional (first case), or establishing that all low-side power switches are functional (second case); and in the first case: opening all high-side power switches and performing PWM-like control of the low-side power switches; or in the second case: opening all low-side power switches and performing PWM-like control of the high-side power switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch Automotive Steering GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Weber
  • Patent number: 9545948
    Abstract: A power steering assist system includes a hydraulic assist power steering assembly configured to couple to a vehicle steering gear, and a hydraulic pump having an electric motor, the hydraulic pump configured to supply pressurized hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic assist power steering assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason A. Dutsky, Joel E. Birsching
  • Patent number: 9545949
    Abstract: A steering control apparatus includes: a friction torque setting mechanism setting a friction torque value to be applied to a steering based on information representing a status of a vehicle; a target steering angle setting mechanism setting a target steering angle based on the set friction torque value; an adding friction torque setting mechanism setting an adding friction torque based on a deviation between the set target steering angle and a steering angle; and a steering friction torque controller controlling a friction torque applied to the steering by an actuator based on the set adding friction torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ippei Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9545950
    Abstract: A connection structure of a vehicle includes a fender apron upper extending in a length direction of the vehicle, a front side member extending in a length direction of the vehicle, a front reinforcement, a bumper, and a back beam mounted in an inner side of the bumper. A front end portion of the fender apron upper is connected to one end of the front reinforcement and a rear end portion of the fender apron upper is connected to at least one of a cowl and a front pillar. A front end portion of the front side member is connected to the back beam and a rear end portion of the front side member is connected to a lower portion of the vehicle body. The other end of the front reinforcement is coupled to a front side portion of the front side member in the length direction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Sun Ju Lee, Kwang Hee An
  • Patent number: 9545951
    Abstract: A vehicle-body front structure includes vehicle-body side structural members extending in a front-rear direction of a vehicle body at both sides of the vehicle body, a power train arranged between the vehicle-body side structural members at the both sides of the vehicle body, and a load transmission member attached to at least one of the vehicle-body side structural members or the power train with at least part of the load transmission member located outside the vehicle-body side structural members in a vehicle width direction of the vehicle body. The load transmission member is configured to transmit at least part of impact load received from an obstacle in front of the vehicle body to the vehicle body via the power train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takamasa Ono, Kouji Hosomi, Tomoyuki Nakao
  • Patent number: 9545952
    Abstract: An outer energy absorbing member and an inner energy absorbing member are mounted on a lower surface side of a vehicle bottom part. The outer energy absorbing member and the inner energy absorbing member are arranged adjacent and in parallel to each other in a vehicle width direction. A recessed engagement part is formed in a side end part of the outer energy absorbing member on an inner side in the vehicle width direction, and a projecting engagement part is formed in a side end part of the inner energy absorbing member on an outer side in the vehicle width direction. The recessed engagement part and the projecting engagement part are engaged with each other at a time of side impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoya Sakaguchi, Masahiro Ishikawa, Keita Ito, Yutaka Yamada
  • Patent number: 9545953
    Abstract: An instrument panel for a vehicle is provided. The instrument panel has a visible side and a rear side. The rear side has at least one free-space portion and at least one fastening portion, and the instrument panel can be fastened in the fastening portion to a vehicle structure of the vehicle. The instrument panel comprises at least one foam body, and the foam body is formed to be elastically deformable. The foam body is arranged between the visible side and the rear side and forms elastically deformable regions on the visible side, and the foam body forms additional elastically deformable regions in the at least one free-space portion on the rear side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Stefan Wolff, Joachim Schaefer, Stephan Walter
  • Patent number: 9545954
    Abstract: An instrument panel frame includes two supporting members and a linking member. Each supporting member is suitable for supporting at least one subset of an industrial vehicle. Each supporting member is attached to the linking member. Each supporting member has a fixing interface designed to cooperate with a respective fixing area of the firewall structure. These respective fixing areas surround some major openings of the firewall structure. The supporting members and the linking member are arranged so that each fixing interface cooperates with a respective fixing area, so as to enable the fixing of the instrument panel frame to the firewall structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick Dalmas, Geoffrey M. Horn, Gladys Guillet
  • Patent number: 9545955
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a method comprising fixing a wheel cover on a wheel so that the wheel cover remains static as the wheel rotates on a horizontal axis and turns with the wheel as the wheel turns on a vertical axis comprising attaching a bearing system to a knuckle of a wheel; and attaching the wheel cover to the bearing system and the knuckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jie Xu, Wenshui Wang, Leon Guo, Yantao You
  • Patent number: 9545956
    Abstract: A liner system for a bed of a material hauling machine is provided. The liner system includes a first panel having a first surface and a second surface. The second surface includes a plurality of projected sections and defines a recess between each of the plurality of projected sections and a keyway recess. The liner system also includes a second panel having a first lip portion and a second lip portion configured to interconnect with the second and first lip portion of adjacent second panels respectively. The second panel also includes a first protruding portion configured to be received into the recess and a second protruding portion configured to be received into the keyway recess. The liner system further includes a locking panel having a first extension member, a second extension member and one or more fastening means configured to fasten the second panel to the first panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Qiaoyu Lu, Aaron Kenneth Amstutz, Andrea Burgess Tognetti, Daniel Raymond Hettinger, Jeremy Roe Hammar, Kevin L. Martin, Kyle Schmitt
  • Patent number: 9545957
    Abstract: There are provided a center pillar, a roof side rail connected to an upper end portion of the center pillar and having a closed cross section extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction, and a synthetic resin-made reinforcing member provided inside the roof side rail at a position near an upper end portion of the center pillar. The roof side rail comprises a roof rail inner having a protrusion portion and a roof rail outer forming the closed cross section together with the roof rail inner. The reinforcing member is provided to have a gap from the roof rail outer and integrally joined to an outward face, in a vehicle width direction, of the roof rail inner which is roughened by an anchor effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohito Okuyama, Yuki Kodama, Tetsunori Hada
  • Patent number: 9545958
    Abstract: A reinforcement plate is assembled inside a D-pillar of a pick-up truck to prevent twisting or matchbox deflection of the D-pillar when an accessory, such as a hydraulic lift gate, is assembled inside the tailgate opening of the pick-up truck. The plate includes a horizontal planar portion that is attached by a front flange to a front wall of the D-pillar. An outer flange connects the plate to an outer wall of the D-pillar. An offset flange is secured to a rear cross member by fasteners inside the D-pillar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jack Marchlewski, John Comiez